Sunday, March 22, 1998 This Week’s Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Deuteronomy 16:10, Exodus 36:3-7, Leviticus 19:9-10, Mark 12:41-44, and Acts 2:44-45, we learned about the importance of grace-giving to the work of the Lord. Deuteronomy 16:10 speaks about the freewill offerings made by the children of Israel at the time of their feast of weeks. Exodus 36:3-7 discusses the gifts which were brought to Moses by the people for the work of building the sanctuary. Finally, in verses six and seven, he had to tell them to stop bringing their gifts because they had brought so much. Leviticus 19:9-10 describes the unique harvesting technique which God had outlined for the children of Israel. They were to leave the corners of their fields untouched so that the poor and strangers in the land could feed off the unharvested crops. These three Old Testament passages show that giving was a big part of life for the Israelite. They gave freewill offerings directly to the Lord, they gave for the purpose of building His sanctuary, and they gave to those around them who were in need.
In New Testament teachings, the importance of giving and sharing is no less important. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus pointed out to His disciples the poor widow who gave her last two mites. From a financial perspective, she did not have very much to contribute, but she was willing to give all that she had into the treasury. Jesus said that that woman, who had given all, had given more than the rich who had only given a portion of their total substance. In Acts 2:44-45, Luke writes about the first church and how the members of that congregation shared all their possessions equally among themselves so that no one would have any unmet needs. Consequently, whether one studies the Old or New Testament, the message is clear that God's people are supposed to be givers. As Jesus indicated in Mark 12:41-44, it is not important that we give a lot. What is important is that we give according to how God has prospered us and that we give with the right heart and motivation.
The reason for giving during this period in church history is so that a lost and dying world can hear the good news of the Gospel of Jesus. We should never give solely for the purpose of building bigger buildings or for stockpiling riches. We should always give so that those who do not know Christ can be brought into a personal relationship with Him. Our money does not save anyone, but it does meet the necessary logistical needs which must be met so that someone can go. To the end that the world may know Christ as Savior, we should be willing to give generously of our time, talent, and treasure. We should also be willing to go ourselves if the Lord is leading us in that direction. Each Christian should be committed to gospelizing the world, even if their world measures only a few square blocks. Therefore, as you go through this and the coming weeks, ask the Lord to show you how He wants to use you to reach others for Him and then make yourself willing to be used by Him.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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